Garbage Services

Refuse

Since July 2010, Sterling citizens have been receiving new garbage and recycling carts. This new system has eliminated the need to buy "City bags." Just throw your kitchen trash bag right into the cart and roll the cart to the curb the night before trash collection!

HOW IT WORKS

The City of Sterling’s Solid Waste Collection Program is an automated curbside cart trash and recycling collection program.

Republic Services delivered new carts in early July 2010. Carts will easily roll for your convenience.

The recycling cart will be green and have a gray lid. The lid will list items that are recyclable (and non-recyclable).

All carts must be set out curbside or alley (same place you currently set out trash), if accessible, by 6:00 a.m. on your regularly scheduled pickup day.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Set your automated cart at curbside or in the alley at your regular point of collection, handle facing your home. Containers must be at least three feet away from other containers, parked cars, lamp posts, fences, trees, mailbox post, and away from overhead wires or any other structures so that the automated collection truck can pick up your container. Waste will only be collected when placed in the appropriate cart or bags that display the appropriate sticker/tag. Bags unable to fit in your new cart must have a sticker attached to the bag. Do not place extra bags on top of cart. Allow 3 feet on either side of cart.

Bulk Waste

Bulk items such as chairs, couches, chairs, water heaters, stoves, washers, dryers, etc and larger household items that are too big for your cart require stickers that can be purchased at the vendors listed in this brochure. Stickers are $1.75. These stickers are available through various retailers:

Krogers-2301 Locust

Wal-Mart-Sterling/Rock Falls

County Market-210 W 3rd St.

Walgreens-2506 E. Lincolnway

City Hall - 212 3rd Ave

50lbs per bulk waste sticker.

You can put items into the following using 1 sticker;

30 gallon can with

Microwave size box

Large garbage bag

Do not use large appliance boxes filled with miscellaneous refuse items. The hauler will not pick it up.

Please be considerate, if you cannot lift the item by yourself, neither can the driver.

Bulk/Extra Pickup Request

Do you have a request for an extra or bulky item pickup to be done? Items such as home furnishings, construction or remodeling debris, mattresses, box springs, carpet, padding, car parts, appliances, and waste generated from move-outs, clean-outs and home operated businesses are not included in your weekly pick-up service. Extra charges will apply for these services. Most of the time Republic Services will provide the extra pickup services on your normal pickup day.

If you would like to request an extra pickup of a bulky item pickup, there are two ways to contact Republic Services:

2. Send Republic Services an email. Simply fill in the required information and they will respond to any request within 24 hours. All required information is used for internal purposes only, and will not be shared.

White Goods

Items containing Freon such as refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners also require stickers. White goods are also large appliances that contain:

Any chloroflourocarbon gases Any electric switches containing Mercury Any device that contains or may contain PCB's in a closed system

Stickers can be purchased for $20.00. Tip: Many time merchants will remove your old appliance when you purchase a new one.

Your best option for disposing of these items is to arrange for your new appliance dealer to pick up the old appliance when they deliver the new one.

For the hauler to pick up these white goods, you must purchase a special "white goods only" sticker from one of the retailers, place it on the appliance, and put out with your garbage and recyclables on your regular scheduled pick up day. The stickers cost $20.00 each.

It is important to have your white goods out on your regular scheduled pick up day with your garbage and recyclables.

You must remove all doors from the appliances.

If you have any questions, please call Republic Services at (815) 723-3200.

Batteries

Battery disposal is considered hazardous waste disposal. For car and marine batteries, the best option is to exchange your old battery for your new battery. Otherwise, batteries should be disposed of during Whiteside County hazardous waste collections. Call the Whiteside County landfill at 772-7308 for dates.

Battery recycling: Any Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium Ion or small (up to 2 pounds) Sealed Lead rechargeable batteries can be dropped off at the Community Services Department at the Coliseum. The Coliseum is located at 212 3rd Avenue and the Community Service Office is open from 8am - 4:30pm. Phone 632-6624 with questions, or email.

Yard Waste

Yard waste collection begins the second Monday in March through the first full week of December on the same day as your garbage and recycling pick up. From December through March, you may drop off your yard waste at the Public Works Department at 1605 Avenue L, Sterling. Please call 815-632-6657 for instructions.

Put your grass clippings and leaves in paper yard waste bags and set out to the alley or curb (same place as your garbage or recycling). There is a 50lb weight limit on each bag. You may also use a 35 gallon can with handles for grass clippings, leaves, and small limbs. A 50lb weight limit also applies to the cans. You may also use 60 gallon or 90 gallon carts for yard waste disposal. All containers must be marked with a large "X." A 95 gallon yard waste cart may be purchased for $60.00.

For hard yard waste, such as large limbs, tree stumps, and bushes, you must put them in bundles of lengths of 4 feet or less, and 4 inches or less in diameter. Tie each bundle with twine and set out with your garbage and recycling. The 50 lb weight limit applies to this also. Bushes and shrubs must be bundled, if possible, and sat out with garbage and recycling.

Electronic Recycling

As of January 1, 2012 Electronic Devices were banned from landfills. The City of Sterling Public Works Department will be collecting E-Waste for Sterling City Limits Residents Only (Current photo ID required). Please call 815-632-6657 from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm to setup an appointment for drop off at 1605 Ave L, Sterling, IL.

Holidays

Duing certain holidays, trash service is not available. If any of these holidays fall on Sunday-Friday, pick up will be the following day. The holidays in which trash and recycling are not picked up include:

Republic Services recognizes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Pick up will be the following day if the holiday falls on Sunday-Friday.